Opinion
A dim guiding light
The buildings services engineering profession is
still failing to get the most out of the young talent at
its fingertips, says young engineer Michael Norton
W
hat are the key concerns of young and quality management), to name a few. There is a
building services engineers at present? huge amount to learn, and many young engineers
I would argue that, amid the current can feel overwhelmed, but may be reluctant to ask too
economic downturn, job security is at many questions.
the top of the list. As designers we will inevitably come in to contact
The recession in Britain and elsewhere has resulted with other disciplines as well as manufacturers
in something which is likely to be new to anyone under contractors and facilities managers. In order to have
35. Many young engineers are faced with the prospect a successful relationship with all these other people
of losing their jobs and some have already done so. an understanding of who they are and what they do is
What must be going through the mind of a young extremely important.
engineer who is perhaps studying part-time, when The danger with this is that
they are told they may not have a job or a sponsor for a young person’s development
their studies? Senior engineers need to build on what may take longer than necessary.
is being done today and work towards a future where It’s all too easy for junior staff to
Senior
the path from junior to senior professional is much be forgotten with their needs not
engineers
more structured and smooth. being addressed. Every senior
CIBSE and industry have an important role to play here. engineer or manager was young
need to work to ensure
Companies who employ young people could do more with once but far too often seem to
the path from junior to
structured training and make more time available to allow forget what it was like.
young members of staff to attend CIBSE events such as Fortunately, this need not
senior professional is
the annual conference. CIBSE could play a part here too always be the case and there
much more
with more focus on encouraging companies to provide are some shining examples of
support and training. companies doing a very good job
structured
In general, a greater effort is needed in the overall with the training and development
and smooth
support and guidance for young engineers, and now of young people within their
more than ever. There are many tools and facilities for employment, and not just in the
young people to learn and develop their skills such area of design. CIBSE has recognised this and this year
as CPD events and completing the CPD page in the will be presenting the first CIBSE/YEN Champions
CIBSE journal. However there seems to be a lack of Award to the company that has done the most for
awareness amongst young engineers in this area. young people within their particular organisation.
From experience I can say that the early days of a So do young engineers have anything to worry
building services engineer are all about learning the about? I think so, but I think more importantly it’s
basics in what is a complex and diverse subject. A our industry as a whole that has something to worry
young engineer or graduate will quickly have to learn about by not getting the best out of the young talent at
that there is much more to what we do than the basic its fingertips. l
calculations, drawings and report production. We must
work well in a team, know where a clients needs are For information on the Young Engineers Network,
and how to apply what we know to what will often be use the link at www.cibse.org The YEN website also
a challenging brief. contains details of the CIBSE Champions Award and
However, there is also the need for the young an application form. The CIBSE young members blog
engineer to explore the wider aspects of our industry is at www.cibseyoungmembers.co.uk
– such as facilities management, manufacturing, client
relationships, and HSEQ (health, safety, environment
Michael Norton is a member of the CIBSE YEN Network
20 CIBSE Journal May 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEmay09 pp20 opinionGR.indd 20 4/30/09 5:36:20 PM
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